Origin: Isle of Islay (Scotland)
Type: Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Strength: 46%ABV
Ageing casks: Ex-American and European oak shaved and retoasted
Chillfiltered: No
Added coloring: Yes
Owner: Diageo
Average price: € 130.00
Official website: www.malts.com
Vote: 90/100
While the fourth edition has just been released, here is a taste of the third in this series dedicated to the American actor who has become Lagavulin’s poster boy in recent years.
Aged in casks whose previous contents are not specified (but are said to be ex-bourbon and ex-wine), which have been shaved and toasted, a procedure very similar to the STR created by Jim Swan for ex-wine casks, with the usual ageing of eleven years.
On the back of the label they specify how this whisky was meant to be paired with a medium-rare steak, I guess for Nick Offerman’s tastes, but if you want to know the story behind this bottling, I recommend watching this trailer.
Tasting notes
On the nose, the peat is pungent and aromatic, veering towards herbaceous evocations of thyme, rosemary and marjoram, perfect for accompanying a meat, the declination of which in crispy bacon is well present among the aromas. The dense smoke of a lit fireplace surrounds notes of nutmeg, blood orange, grilled pineapple and Catalan cream, with a delicate vein of coastal impressions running in the background. Full-bodied.
The palate echoes the impressions of the nose, with a more decisive spicy charge (black pepper and especially ginger), rediscovering the aromatic herbs and fruit but with a more marked note of marine freshness, which also has menthol-like qualities, especially at the mouth. Very soft, it takes on connotations of leather, toasted nuts (hazelnuts, macadamia), sweet liquorice, with smoke acting as a leitmotif with slight bitterish, espresso and fondant declensions.
Long finish of extinguished fireplace, iodised salt, citrus, coffee, nuts peels, aromatic herbs.
Born as a single bottling, in its third declination it confirms the high quality of the series, which knows how to enhance the character of Lagavulin by always finding new perspectives that justify its interest. No longer a mere marketing operation, but a solid collection, not to be missed by lovers of the distillery.